Viewers were left heartbroken by a poignant documentary about cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James who died this week, age 40. The documentary, Deborah James: The Last Dance, aired this evening and is available on iPlayer.
The powerful show charts Dame Deborah's journey from the early days of her diagnosis, to starting the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C right through to watching her kids start secondary school and eventually entering into the hospice. The 30-minute documentary, while at times a difficult watch, focuses on the positivity that Dame Deborah brought to her situation, and how she helped others to see how a shift in attitude can make all the difference.
Read more: 'Take risks, love deeply and have no regrets' - Dame Deborah James' inspiring final message
One of the more touching moments was seeing James receive her damehood from Prince William, with fellow podcast host Steve Bland saying that she’d always been a “Dame” really and that she wore it well. Lorraine Kelly also featured several times across the half hour show, saying that she knew from the off that herself and James were going to be close, calling her “a smasher” for how open she was about her experience of having bowel cancer.
People were understandably getting emotional as they watched the show, with @Andy24Young tweeting: “Listening to Dame Deborah James talk about her cancer at a time where she knew how fatal it would impact her life, shows the amazing bravery she demonstrated. She has certainly inspired millions #DameDeborahJames ”
And @Rachelbrooke25 said: “This is going to be a heartbreaking watch…Dame Deborah James: The Last Dance”.
Taking to Twitter, her followers and fans paid tribute to her for being an "incredible inspiration" to everyone.
Watching #TheLastDance #DeborahJames if you have know someone who’s died from #Cancer or is dying from it. You will know the pain it causes not just to that person but to all the family. I know sadly in both cases. This amazing woman has shown us the most incredible inspiration!" one emotional viewer penned on Twitter.
Another added: "Just watching about #Deborahjames, taken far too soon but did a fabulous job at highlighting that bowel cancer does occur in younger people . Lost my Dad to this horrid disease but at least he reached 70 so was lucky in a way x"
" #DeborahJames is a true life heroine! I hope you're smiling and dancing in heaven. Rest is eternal peace," a third shared, a sa fourth wrote: " #DeborahJames sobbing I can’t stop thinking of her kids Hugo + Eloise I hope they are doing okay @bowelbabe #bowelbabe."
A fifth penned: "Watching #DameDeborahJames #TheLastdance I’m literally crying, what a wonderful, lovely, strong, brave, amazing person she was #RIPDeborahJames #Heartbreaking."
Her death was announced on Tuesday with a message saying she had died peacefully, surrounded by her family.
The news prompted tributes from William and Kate, charities, celebrities and many whose lives have been affected by cancer.
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